Azalea hybrid variety named `Conlee`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of azelea found as a seedling in a planned cross between the female azalea `Karens` and the male Rhododendron oldhamii `Fourth of July`. The new variety possesses a unique blooming time and is superior in development of an upright, dense, globose shaped plant with an attractive winter stem and foliage coloration and single purple flowers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of evergreenazalea of the genus Rhododendron and a member of the Ericaceae family.This new azalea variety, hereinafter referred to as `Conlee`, wasdiscovered by Robert Edward Lee of Transcend Nursery in August, 1986 inIndependence, La. `Conlee` originated from a planned cross hybridizationbetween two selected breeding lines in a controlled breeding program inIndependence, La. The value of this new cultivar lies in its uniqueblooming period, bloom color, bloom form, winter stem and foliagecoloration, and growth habit.

Asexual propagation of the new plant by cuttings has been under Mr.Lee's direction at the same location. Several generations of the newplant have been evaluated and the distinctive characteristics of theplant have remained stable. The plant cannot be reproduced true fromseed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Independence, La.

1. The unique spring, summer, and fall blooming.

2. A purple flower color Red-Purple Group 71D with dotting color RedGroup 53B.

3. Single flowers range in size from 13/4"-21/4" in diameter.

4. Easily propagated with semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring throughthe summer.

5. Fast growth rate under normal fertilization and moisture conditions.

6. Upright, dense, and globose in nature.

7. Good specimen plant.

8. Desirable in planters.

9. Makes a very good hedge or screen.

10. Very good foundation plant for large buildings.

11. Does well as an underestory plant in a woodland garden.

12. Hardy to Zone 7.

13. Attracts butterflies.

14. Attractive winter stem and foliage coloration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The new azalea hybrid variety as illustrated by the accompanyingphotographic prints in which:

1. FIG. 1 is a close-up showing flower, foliage, and stem color as wellas flower form.

2. FIG. 2 shows the dense, upright, and globose growth habit of a youngthree gallon plant.

3. FIG. 3 shows the attractive winter stem and foliage coloration as thenew growth emerges in early March.

4. FIG. 4 shows the effective use and nature of use of the new varietyin an established landscape planting.

The colors shown are as true as is reasonably possible to obtain byconventional photographic procedures. The colors of the various plantparts are defined with reference to The Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Chart. Description of colors in ordinary terms are presentedwhere appropriate for clarity in meaning.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new variety of azeleabased on my observations made of plants grown in wholesale commercialproduction practices, in greenhouses, and in established landscapeplantings in Independence, La.

Distinctive Characteristics

    ______________________________________                                                                     R. oldhamii                                                                   'Fourth                                          Characteristic                                                                          'Conlee'  'Karens' of July'                                                                              R. oldhamii                              ______________________________________                                        Height (Mature)                                                                         5-6'      4-5'     8-10'   8-10'                                    Width (Mature)                                                                          5-6'      4-5'     6-7'    6-7'                                     Flower Size                                                                             1 3/4-2 1/4"                                                                            1 1/2-2" 1 3/4-2 1/4"                                                                          1 3/4-2 1/4"                             Flower Form                                                                             Single    Single   Single  Single                                   Flower Color                                                                            Red-Purple                                                                              Red-     Red G. 39A                                                                            Red G. 39A                                         G. 71D    Purple                                                                        G. 61B                                                    Flowers per                                                                             3-5       1-4      2-4     2-4                                      Terminal                                                                      Bloom Period                                                                            April                      Mid-May >                                                                     Mid-June                                    "      Mid July >                                                                              May      Mid-June >                                                                            Sporadic >                                         Frost              Frost   summer                                   Petal Number                                                                            5         5        5       5                                        Hardy Zone                                                                              7         6        7       8                                        Stamen Number                                                                           8-10      10       7-10    7-10                                     ______________________________________                                    

The female, or seed parent, of `Conlee` is the azalea `Karens`; a deepreddish purple, single, mid season, medium height grower. `Karens` is anunpatented azalea introduced by Verkades Nursery in 1979 and was theresult of a cross between the kurume hybrid `Hino de Gin` and thespecies Rhododendron poukhanense.

The male, or pollen, parent is Rhohodendron oldhamii `Fourth of July`which originated from a R. oldhamii seed lot collected in 1968 by Dr.Hsu of Taiwan University. The seeds were collected at 850 meterselevation on Mount Tai Tun in Taiwan. Soon after the John Patrick ofOakland, Calif. was visiting Taiwan collecting plant material of theTaiwanese Rhododendrons. He obtained a number of seedlings from Dr. Hsuand grew them in Oakland, Calif. In 1973, Dr. John T. Thornton of C&TNursery in Franklinton, La. obtained one of the Rhododendron seedlingsfrom Mr. Patrick. Dr. Thornton noticed in the new few years that thisparticular R. oldhamii plant was a perpetual bloomer from late Juneuntil frost on new growth. This plant produces two flushes of growthcontaining flowers. The second flush of growth overlaps the first flushproducing a plant which blooms continuously. This differs from thespecies R. oldhamii which blooms from mid-May until mid-June andsporadically through the summer. Dr. Thornton subsequently named thisplant R. oldhamii `Fourth of July` in 1972.

The azalea `Fourth of July` seems to be hardy to about 10 degrees F(zone 7). Temperatures below this cause dieback, but the plant readilyrecovers and blooms profusely the following summer. R. oldhamii is lesshardy at zone 8.

Robert Edward Lee's hybridization program was conducted with emphasis onspecies that are not commonly found in the genetic make-up of thepresent day hybrids. The `Fourth of July` cultivar which Mr. Leeobtained from Dr. Thornton in 1981 is a heavy summer and fall bloomingplant, not like the Rhododendron Species Foundation form. The flowerbuds form on new growth and start blooming about July 1. Mr. Lee usedthis species to cross with existing hybrids which have a tendency tobloom in the fall and which are also fairly hardy. As expected theresulting seedlings are heavy summer and fall bloomers with veryimpressive spring blooms also.

Classification:

Botanic.--Rhododendron hybrid `Conlee`.

Form: Upright, dense, and rounded.

Texture: Medium.

Height: 5-6'.

Width: 5-6'.

Growth:

Habit.--Upright, dense, and globose. Fast growth rate under normalfertilization and moisture conditions.

Rate.--In a period of six years from a rooted cutting the plant reachesa height of 4 feet and a spread of 3 feet. The growth rate is normallyabout 10 to 12" per year; the plant reaches a height of 5 to 6' atmaturity while maintaining a dense habit due to the abundant branchdevelopment.

Foliage: Alternate, simple, evergreen, pubescent, elliptic tolanceolate, and varying in size from 13/4" to 21/4 long and 1/2 to 3/4"wide. The margins are entire, with a petiole 3/16" to 1/2" long.Midveins and laterals are very impressed on the upper leaf surface andvery prominent on the underside giving the leaf a wrinkled coarseappearance. The base of the leaf is cuneate to attenuate and the apex isacute to mucronate. The upper surface of the immature leaves are dull,pubescent, and are Yellow-Green Group 144A and the underside isYellow-Green Group 146B, pubescent, and matte. The upper surface of themature leaves are Yellow-Green Group 147A, glossy and slightly pubescentand the underside is Yellow-Green Group 146B, matte, and pubescent.During the winter the upper surface of the leaves are Greyed-PurpleGroup 187A and the underside is Yellow-Green Group 146A. New growth isheavily pubescent. These hairs are initially soft and white and coverboth sides of the leaf with a higher concentration on the petioles andveins. They are slightly curled, flat, and range in length from 1/32" to3/32". As the growth matures much of the leaf pubescence is lost;however, the stems, petioles, and leaf veins retain this pubescencewhich becomes more setaceous and darker in color (Greyed-Orange Group167D) through the growing season. In 1994, the date of initial springgrowth was March 10, in Independence, La. After the initial spring flushthere was almost continuous growth until that fall ending October 23,also in Independence, La. When growth in full sun, the internode lengthof this plant is 1/4" to 5/8"; when grown in light shade the internodelength is 3/8" to 3/4". As would be expected a plant grown in shaderesults in a taller, less dense plant with larger leaves.

The average length of terminal growth on the initial spring flush isabout 6" for a plant in full sun and about 8" when grown in shade. Thisgrowth should not be trimmed since it will produce flowers starting inmid July. As the plant continues to grow through the summer and fallmore flower buds are produced, which mature and bloom until frost. Thisremaining growth produces about 4" to 5" of height. As cool weatherapproaches, some of the flower buds become dormant. These buds bloom inApril of the next year.

Stems: The young stems are densely clothed with white glandular hairsintermixed with scattered spreading, flattened hairs; they have a purplepigmentation, Greyed-Purple Group 187C, which fades to Yellow-GreenGroup 152B in about 60 days. The immature petioles, midribs, and veinsare also Yellow-Green Group 152B during the summer, but change toGreyed-Purple Group 185B during the winter. During the second growingseason they become Greyed-Green Group 197B, glabrous, and rugose. Thepith is solid and uniform. Young and older stems are densely branched.

Buds: Tight buds at 1/2" are ovate and acuminate Yellow-Green Group 146Dwith a hairy pubescence Greyed-Orange Group 167D. The buds are borne inclusters of 3 to 5, and are sheathed by a pair of modified leaf bractswhich are from 1/4" to 1/2" long, persistent, and Yellow-Group 147A. Thepedicel is 3/8" to 1/2" long, heavily pubescent, and Red Group 53B. Thecalyx is 1/4" to 3/8" long. Yellow-Green Group 144B, funnel shaped,persistent, and heavily pubescent. The five imbricated sepals arelanceolate and joined at the base to form a cup. As the buds swell thebud sheath matures to a Greyed-Orange Group 165A, falls off, andreveales the flower color Red-Purple Group 71D.

Flowers: Perfect, single, Red-Purple Group 71D (front and back),glabrous, openly funnel shaped, 13/4" to 21/4" wide by 11/2" to 2" long,borne on current season's growth, non-fragrant; they last on the plantin the garden 5 to 6 days. There are 5 petals which are fused at thebase, elliptic to obovate, and have wavy margins. The dorsal lobe andthe two upper wings of these petals are dotted Red Group 53B. The 8 to10 stamen are from 3/4" to 13/8" long and the filaments are Red-PurpleGroup 64C. The anthers are Red-Purple Group 59B and the small amount ofpollen produced is Yellow Group 4D. The pistil is single, non-petaloid,13/4" to 2" long, and Red-Purple Group 63A. The ovary is denselygladular-setose and has five locules. The capsule matures in about 5months, in Independence, La., to about 1/4" to 1/2" long; it has apersistent style, is Yellow-Green Group 147A, and contains from 100 to300 nonwinged seeds. Normally fruit set is not heavy. There is a 2 to 3week flowering period in April in Independence, La. Flowering resumes inmid July as the new buds mature and continues until frost which can beas late as November or December in Independence, La. Azeleas blooming atthis time of year attract butterflies in profusion.

Culture: Grows well in a wide range of conditions, tolerates sun toshade. Prefers a moist, well-drained soil that is rich in organicmatter. Responds well to mulching and medium applications of fertilizer;prefers ph 5.0 to 5.5. Very little pruning is needed; adaptable tocontainer and above ground planters; makes a good foundation plant orinformal hedge with excellent foliage and flower contrast. Ideal forcoastal regions and warmer parts of Piedmont. Propagated withsemi-hardwood cuttings in late spring through the summer.

Pests: Lace wing and spider mites can be a problem.

I claim:
 1. A new and unique variety of azalea hybrid plant named`Conlee` as herein shown and described.